A
L
P
H
A
B
E
T
W
O
R
D
S
I
G
N
S
hover over each letter

Braille Course

Lesson 8 of 14

Alphabet Wordsigns

Single letters that stand for whole words.

Learn

Grade 2 braille adds contractions — shortcuts that save space and speed up reading. The simplest are alphabet wordsigns: a single letter, standing alone, that means a whole word.

B means “but,” C means “can,” D means “do.” The cell is identical to the letter; only its standing-alone use changes the meaning.

  • butdots 1 2
  • candots 1 4
  • dodots 1 4 5
  • everydots 1 5
  • fromdots 1 2 4
  • godots 1 2 4 5
Your Turn

Write It Yourself

Braille is read by touch and written dot by dot. Recreate each character below in the writer — the best way to make it stick.

  1. but — current
  2. can
  3. do
  4. every
  5. from
  6. go

Character 1 of 6

Write:but

Keys F D S and J K L (or 1–6) raise dots · Enter checks

Practice

Keep Practicing — Contraction Sprint

Finish writing the characters above, then this practice activity will help it stick.

Tip There are 23 alphabet wordsigns in all — you’ve just met the first handful.